Montgomery County delegates again press for local option to allow ranked and approval voting

Delegate Aaron Kaufman, representing Montgomery County, briefed the House Ways and Means Committee on House Bill 10‑94, enabling Montgomery County to adopt ranked‑choice voting and approval voting for local elections.

Kaufman said the Montgomery County House delegation unanimously adopted the bill and that the measure has the support of the county executive and all members of the county council. He noted endorsements from 17 outside organizations, including Common Cause Maryland and the League of Women Voters, and cited public statements from Senate President Bill Ferguson favoring ranked choice as a path to broader education on alternative voting systems.

Kaufman described how ranked‑choice voting works and answered anticipated concerns. He said the bill is enabling legislation only: counties would decide whether to adopt the systems and would retain responsibility for public engagement. Kaufman told the committee that voters could still choose to mark a single candidate if they prefer and that ranked‑choice systems used elsewhere, including Alaska, Maine and the District of Columbia, provide examples Montgomery County could study.

There was no public questioning recorded and no formal committee action taken during the sponsor‑only hearing. Kaufman closed by asking the committee to honor local courtesy and recommend a favorable report.

Kaufman emphasized the local‑option nature of the bill and repeatedly described it as enabling legislation rather than a statewide mandate. He offered to answer committee questions and noted that this is the latest in a series of bills filed for Montgomery County on this topic.

The hearing record contains only sponsor testimony and no votes or committee directions on this bill.

Why it matters: the bill would not change statewide ballot rules but gives Montgomery County a tool to adopt alternative voting systems if local officials choose to do so.